The Seclusion of the Woman in Mourning
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 5775 )
Q1: In our island of Farasan , there is a custom: when a person dies, his wife observes a waiting period of four months and ten days, and this is obligatory for her. However, the custom is that she secludes herself in the house on the condition that no one sees her and she sees no one. If she sees anyone, she counts that day as a day of mourning, even if it is her friend, and she continues this until she completes her waiting period. Is this practice correct? Please inform us with an explanation. Also, does an elderly woman who no longer has menstruation have a waiting period if the waiting period was specified for pregnancy during this time? Please inform us, and we offer you our sincere thanks.
A1: What you mentioned regarding the seclusion of the woman in mourning, where no one sees her, is an exaggeration in mourning. Counting a day or days as mourning for the day or days on which someone saw her while she was in mourning is an error. It is adhering to what is not required. This makes it clear that her action is not correct, for there is no harm in her mixing with her mahrams (close relatives) and with women. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: In our island of Farasan , there is a custom: when a person dies, his wife observes a waiting period of four months and ten days, and this is obligatory for her. However, the custom is that she secludes herself in the house on the condition that no one sees her and she sees no one. If she sees anyone, she counts that day as a day of mourning, even if it is her friend, and she continues this until she completes her waiting period. Is this practice correct? Please inform us with an explanation. Also, does an elderly woman who no longer has menstruation have a waiting period if the waiting period was specified for pregnancy during this time? Please inform us, and we offer you our sincere thanks.
A1: What you mentioned regarding the seclusion of the woman in mourning, where no one sees her, is an exaggeration in mourning. Counting a day or days as mourning for the day or days on which someone saw her while she was in mourning is an error. It is adhering to what is not required. This makes it clear that her action is not correct, for there is no harm in her mixing with her mahrams (close relatives) and with women. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.